Cadets take on The Pringle Trophy

The Pringle Trophy is named after Lt General Sir Steuart Pringle, a former Commandant General of the Royal Marines.

It is very much a blue riband event meaning it is thought of as the most prestigious cadet skills competition in the UK. Naturally it is hotly contested amongst the 20 or so schools in the country lucky enough to have a Royal Marine Section and Shrewsbury have won three times in the past.

The cadets are tested on first aid, fieldcraft, observation, camouflage, teamwork and fitness. They also have to tackle the infamous Commando Training Centre endurance course that includes a fiendish water tunnel feature known as the ‘sheep dip’.

Our team of nine cadets may not have won overall but came top in two parts of the competition - the leadership and drill elements. The team were pleased to beat some of our usual sporting rivals such as Bradfield, Charterhouse, Canford, Giggleswick, Harrow, Winchester and Sherborne.

If you were up at 6.30am around the site you may have spotted the team at work. It is worth noting they are very much self-trained, with the staff standing back.

Team captain Sam U (S, LVI) has done a fantastic job at leading the group during their extensive preparation programme, as well as on the event itself.  

Well done to them all! They are now all fired up to compete again in October of this year.

Pringle Team Competition members

• Sam U  (S, LVI) - Team leader
• Ryan M (S, LVI) - Second in Command
• Freddie G (O, LVI)
• Ed S (Rt, LVI)
• Hubert R (Rt, LVI)
• Imogen V (G,V)
• Matthew L (O,V)
• Tom G (O,V)
• Ollie T (Rt, LVI)